April 13, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release
CARY, North Carolina – Portland Thorns FC (0-2-1, 1 point) suffered a 2-0 loss, on the road, to the North Carolina Courage.
Postgame quotes from Head Coach Mike Norris and defender Becky Sauerbrunn can be found here.
North Carolina scored the opening goal in the fifth minute, with Tyler Lussi placing her shot inside the far post off a corner kick, taking the early 1-0 lead. Portland nearly had the equalizer in the 18th minute when Morgan Weaver threaded a through ball to the feet of an unmarked Sophia Smith, but her shot skipped inches wide of goal.
Portland looked to level the match, this time in the 33rd minute, with Weaver intercepting a pass inside the penalty box, but the Courage’s defense was able to collapse on the ball, blocking her shot. Just as the Thorns were pressing for the equalizer and gaining offensive momentum, North Carolina doubled its lead with a header from Haley Hopkins.
The Thorns would be unable to find a goal in the first half, heading into the halftime break with a 2-0 deficit.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Thorns had a series of chances, including three-consecutive corner kicks, but the Courage were able to thwart Portland’s advances, keeping them out of the back of the net.
The team continued to look for a way back into the match but would be unable to overcome the two-goal deficit, ultimately falling 2-0 to the Courage.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns FC return home to Providence Park to host Houston Dash on Saturday, April 20 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
NCC: Tyler Lussi (Ashley Sanchez), 5th minute: Off a corner kick from Sanchez, Lussi launched a deep shot, tucking the ball inside the far post.
NCC: Haley Hopkins (Tyler Lussi) 36th minute: Lussi served a ball directly to the head of Hopkins who was able to redirect the cross into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze (Kelli Hubly 59′), Marie Müller, Olivia Moultrie (Christine Sinclair 72′), Sam Coffey, Hina Sugita (Ana Dias 87′), Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie (Jessie Fleming 59′)
Subs not used: Lauren Kozal, Nicole Payne, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Meghan Klingenberg, Izzy D’Aquila
North Carolina Courage (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Felicitas Rauch, Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Denise O’Sullivan, Ashley Sanchez (Brianna Pinto 87′), Narumi Miura (Dani Weatherholt 87′), Haley Hopkins…